Tag Archives: android application development london

Are you considering about getting an app for your business? What do you want: a native mobile app (iPhone app or Android app) or a cross-platform app? At iCrayons, one of the top mobile app development companies in the UK, we have a solid team of mobile application developers who can deliver innovative native app solutions as well as cross-platform app solutions.

Whether you are going for native app development (Android application development or iPhone application development) or cross-platform mobile app development, it is certainly beneficial and worthy investment for your business. By the way, a cross-platform app is the one that can function seamlessly on different mobile platforms.

A mobile app for your business will help you serve your customers in a better way. It also creates a brand name and helps generate some income, depending on the kind of app you are developing and how you are launching it. Freemium apps, paid apps, as well as apps with in-app purchases all can yield come substantial income!

Anyway, in order to have a beautiful app for your business, it is crucial to get in touch with a reliable mobile application development company, which has a team that is experienced and competent with native app development as well as cross-platform app development. Only such an app development company will ensure that your mobile app is built and delivered on time, as per your specific requirements and within your budget. Hiring freelancers is an option, but you may have to face certain issues. Delay in delivery and increase in costs are just a couple of big issues among others when you decide to work with a freelance mobile app developer.

iCrayons has been in mobile app development business for many years now and has some very talented mobile app developers in the UK who are competent with native app development and cross-platform app development. Our mobile app development team in the UK will work on your requirement together to ensure timely delivery and quality app solution that is within your specified budget. Be it an Android app, iPhone app, or cross-platform app that can work on both Android and iOS devices, you can count on us, at iCrayons.

Have You Considered Android App Development Yet? If Not, Then You Should

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If your attention is not towards Google’s Android platform, it perhaps ought to be. As per the report by IDC (International Data Corporation), a business intelligence and market research company, over 84 percent of the total smartphone units shipped in the third quarter of 2014 were running Android. Two years earlier, in the third quarter of 2012, it was only a shade under 75 percent. In merely two years, the market share of Android surged up by almost 10 percent!

The same report also indicates Apple iOS’s market share falling to 11.7 percent in the third quarter of 2014, from 14.4 percent two years earlier. A good 2.7 percent decline in just two years. Microsoft’s Windows Phone so far isn’t making any significant impact, as it owns only 2.9 percent market share.

So what is the outcome of all this data for mobile app developers? It is simple; start innovating for the Android platform.

For a far too long, Android was considered the underdog. Apple’s iOS, on the other hand, was where most of the people went to when they wanted to make money from the app. Now there are a lot of good reasons to go for not only iPhone app development, but Android app development as well.

Landing an app on both platforms will enable you to target a wider audience of smartphone users, which in turn lets you earn more money from the app. If it is difficult to develop an app for both platforms, maybe because of money constraints, then choosing Android platform alone might not be a bad idea. The user base of Android is wide. Besides, Android app development is less expensive than iPhone app development. The app submission and acceptance processes for Google’s Android are also less daunting.

As per a blog on Mashable, Google Play (official store for Android apps) now has more apps than Apple’s App Store does. In the light of this, one can argue, “What are the chances of my app being able to stand out in the sea of Android apps?” Of course, it is difficult to make an Android app stand out among millions of apps, but it is not entirely impossible. Those Android apps, that have good design and great functionality, have a better chance of getting attention from users and media. Therefore, excellent design with purposeful functionality should be the main criteria for Android app development.

Android App Development – Outsourcing can save money, but only if you choose the right company

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All the hype of outsourcing Android app development requirements is enchanting entrepreneurs and businesses across the globe by promising exceptional apps at utterly low costs.

“Save on development costs; dedicate more attention towards your business instead of getting your app developed; get custom Android apps as per your precise specifications.”

Can outsourcing app development really save money and get the results you desired? Yes, certainly it can. You, however, must first understand how some Android app development companies hide expenses that could drain your pocket if you are not careful.

Here are some tips on how to curtail the hidden costs of outsourcing Android app development requirement.

Be Wary of the fixed-pricing model

A fixed pricing may sound attractive to anyone as it puts the stakeholder at easy by constraining budgetary uncertainty. Many outsourcing companies unfortunately lure stakeholders into a deal and hit with absurd additional charges later on. Initially, the app development company will quote very low price to build an app; nevertheless, the scope of work will not include all the necessary or important features. Within several months, the money will be exhausted, and the app will be far short from ready.

Victims of such a pricing model often end up in the forbidden ground. Their original outsourced company has already charged them way over the decided fixed-price budget, yet their app is still too short from market-ready. What should such stakeholders do now? Do they give more cash in order to get the app complete? Do they forsake the original company and start from scratch with another company, which may be expensive or has tricks up their sleeves just like the first one?

How can a stakeholder looking to outsource Android app requirement avoid this disaster? Well, one needs to understand that in the world of high-quality app development, fixed-pricing model is simply impossible. Instead, select an app development company that invests significant time from day one to understand nitty-gritty of the app requirement, and leave the cost to good faith.

Core or essential features go first

The app development company needs to define how the app should work at the end at the outset of the project itself. It seems simple, but not many companies adhere to this practice. Select a company that relies on Agile methodology — a group of application development methods that focus on requirement and solution through collaboration between different teams. If a company relies on Agile methodology, it will prioritize which features are important to users, and will develop those features first. In case a stakeholder runs into financial problems, they can cut off the development and still have a working app — just without the least important features though. The difficult and most useful functions should always come first. Stay away from the app development companies that want to deal with the easy parts first.

Get the team that was promised

If often happens that at the outset, an outsourcing company shows impressive résumés of their developers who will be working on the project; nevertheless, those developers will never actually work on the project. Sometimes, it also happens that during the beginning of the project, experienced developers will be working on the development, but later on, they are replaced with an inexperienced team. A stakeholder will end up with amateurs who are (maybe) working on their first Android app.

Employee (developer) turnover can also be a big issue. In many countries, employee turnover rates are high. During an ongoing project itself, developers quit. A replacement to such developers means waste of time — hiring someone competent, making them familiar with the project and restarting the development. It is dangerous for app development.

How can a stakeholder avoid these problems? Well, investigating the app development company’s turnover rates is a good place to start. Take guarantee that the team that started the project will see it through the end. Ensure to talk to the developers, working on the project, on a weekly basis. It will help know who is really working on a continual basis on the project.

Create a solid communication plan

Some Android app development companies keep the stakeholders out of the process. They suggest signing the contract first, and then they will reconnect once every month or two; this is just a recipe for disaster.

Select an app development company, with an established set of processes that includes daily, weekly as well as monthly correspondences. Ask for full transparency in the project, including a work agenda and complete details about which developer is going to develop which features. The company, on the other hand, should collect a complete contact information about the stakeholder, including e-mail, Skype ID, and personal contact number. Finally, choose a company that can communicate at your convenience.

Find a company that is competent enough to understand your business niche

Even a freelance developer can develop an Android app; nevertheless, will he or she be able to deliver the kind of app that you really need?

If you want an Android app that can really complement your business, you need to find and select a company whose developers fathom the nature of your business and what you want to accomplish with the app. During the sales and analysis processes, identify how deeply the app development company can understand your business.